Abstract: An improved washing implement which exhibits superior softness, while also retaining good resiliency and durability, is made from at least one piece of open cell polymer mesh. To achieve the improved softness, resiliency, and durability of the improved washing implement an improved open cell mesh is provided which is softer and sufficiently resilient as a result of its controlled material and cell structure parameters. In preferred embodiments, the controlled physical parameters of the open cell mesh include basis weight, cell count, node count, node length and node diameter. Optimizing the physical parameters of the mesh also results in a washing implement that absorbs and delivers increased amounts of water and cleansing product to the surface being cleaned.

Abstract: An improved washing implement which exhibits superior softness, while also retaining good resiliency, is made from at least one piece of open cell polymer mesh. To achieve the improved softness and resiliency of the improved washing implement an improved open cell mesh is provided which is softer and sufficiently resilient as a result of its controlled cell structure parameters. In preferred embodiments, the controlled physical parameters of the open cell mesh include basis weight, cell count, node count, node length and node diameter.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved open cell mesh which exhibits superior softness, while also retaining acceptable resiliency, as a result of controlling cell structure parameters. In preferred embodiments, physically measurable parameters of the open cell mesh, and more particularly the cell structure, are controlled within pre-defined ranges. The controlled physical parameters of the subject open cell mesh include basis weight, cell count, node count, node length, node thickness, and node width. Additionally, there is provided a method of testing the mesh's resistance to an applied load, which is a predictive indicator of softness and resiliency.

Abstract: An improved washing implement which exhibits superior softness, while also retaining good resiliency. To achieve the improved softness and resiliency of the improved washing implement an improved open cell mesh is provided which is softer and sufficiently resilient as a result of its controlled cell structure parameters. In preferred embodiments, the controlled physical parameters of the open cell mesh include basis weight, cell count, node count, node length and node diameter. Additionally there is provided a method of testing the mesh's resistance to an applied load, which provides an additional parameter for characterizing the mesh of the present invention.

Abstract: A personal cleansing implement is made from a hydrophobic piece of tubular scrim. The piece of tubular scrim is gathered along a longitudinal axis thereof to form circumferential pleats. The circumferential pleats are permanently fixed in a gathered condition by bonding together a top surface and a bottom surface of them adjacent to their perimeter while they are maintained in the gathered condition. The tubular scrim have properties which result in a consumer preferred softness in the personal cleansing implement. The properties of the tubular scrim comprise a node width ranging from 0.18 mm to 0.56 mm; a strand length ranging from 1.78 mm to 3.68 mm; and a repeat unit average weight ranging from 1.0.times.10.sup.-4 gm to 3.4.times.10.sup.-4 gm. The tubular scrim is preferably made substantially of low density polyethylene.

Abstract: A personal cleansing implement comprises a tubular piece of hydrophobic diamond-mesh scrim, which is stretched to expand the diamond mesh, gathered along a longitudinal axis of the tubular piece of scrim to form circumferential pleats, and heat set in an expanded and pleated condition to form a substantially rectangular resilient batt. Top and bottom surfaces of the batt are bonded together adjacent the perimeter of the batt by a bonding means. Thread stitching or intermittent thermobonding are the preferred bonding means. Ultrasonic bonding is most preferred. A tether loop is connected to the implement for hanging it from a support during drying.

Abstract: A personal cleansing implement comprises a tubular piece of hydrophobic diamond-mesh scrim, which is stretched to expand the diamond mesh, gathered along a longitudinal axis of the tubular piece of scrim to form circumferential pleats, and heat set in an expanded and pleated condition to form a substantially rectangular resilient batt. Top and bottom surfaces of the batt are bonded together adjacent the perimeter of the batt by a bonding means. Thread stitching or intermittent thermobonding are the preferred bonding means. Ultrasonic bonding is most preferred. A tether loop is connected to the implement for hanging it from a support during drying.